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Western Australia will invest an extra $13.8 million into its aerial firefighting fleet over the next three years, including securing a pair of Black Hawk helicopters until 2028–29.
The Black Hawks, based in Gingin and commencing operations on 20 December, are the second of two pairs that will operate around the state. They join a firefighting fleet of 38, which also includes the Large Air Tanker (LAT) based in Busselton, and other rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
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“WA is the largest emergency management jurisdiction in the southern hemisphere and having such an agile and effective aerial fleet will provide a major boost to our firefighting arsenal to keep the community safe,” Minister for Emergency Services Paul Papalia said.
“Every day during the southern bushfire season, the 38-strong aerial fleet will be on standby to rapidly deploy to an emergency.”
The first two Black Hawks, based in Serpentine, came online on 1 December and helped contain a fire that threatened 500 homes in Geraldton earlier this month, while the C130 Hercules LAT also began operating on 1 December and will remain in WA for at least 90 days.
Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said the aerial fleet “plays a vital role in supporting our dedicated crews on the ground, particularly when fires break out in difficult, inaccessible terrain or are burning too intensely for direct attack on the fire”.
“The C130 Hercules Large Air Tanker is incredibly effective at building containment lines to stop the spread of fire and the Black Hawk helicopters’ drop capacity and agility have proven to be a versatile and efficient resource for firefighters in their efforts to protect lives and homes,” he said.
“Our dedicated career and volunteer firefighters have already responded to several emergency level and watch and act bushfires this season, not only in regional areas but also close to the city.”
The fleet, based in Jandakot, Serpentine, Gingin, Bunbury, Busselton, Manjimup and Albany, is deployed across WA as bushfire risk profiles change.
“The first aircraft were activated on 1 November and are based in Narrogin, Geraldton and Esperance to protect WA’s grain harvest. Each bushfire season the aerial fleet plays an essential role in suppressing out-of-control fires,” the government said.
“Between October 2024 and May 2025, the fleet flew more than 2,000 hours and dropped 13.5 million litres of water and retardant across 205 bushfires between the Mid West and the Great Southern.”
